Liverpool travelled to Burnley last night in a peculiar run of form which has seen them struggle to discover their mojo, but they continued to keep pace with league leaders Manchester City by clinching a 3-1 win at Turf Moor.
It wasn’t vintage Liverpool but they got another three points on the board against a Burnley side who are in all sorts of trouble at the wrong end of the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp’s decision to ring the changes before the game was slated by perplexed supporters, and one of the players who he brought into the side for a rare start was Joel Matip.
With Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez firmly established as the first-choice central defenders, Matip has been forced to play nothing more than a bit-part role so far this season.
Gomez was forced to right-back to accommodate the towering defender, but he struggled to impress on his rare chance to shine.
Indeed, the Liverpool supporters, particularly in the first-half, took to Twitter to slate his performance, citing his passive approach as a particular point of discontent.
But with Gomez set to face a scan on Thursday to determine the extent of the injury he sustained last night the Reds faithful might just have to brace themselves for more of the Cameroon international.
Here’s what some of the Liverpool fans had to say about Matip’s performance against Burnley…
Piss poor first half, that many changes asking for trouble. Sturridge a total non entity again. Injury to Gomez could be a killer moving forward. Once again a ridiculous decision to split the centre back partnership up #LFC
— Ty Kropp (@tizlad) December 5, 2018
Just realised we're stuck with Lovren/Matip for the next few weeks/months, season is well and truly finished.
— ً (@cslfc) December 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/tomwelly123/status/1070419208633180160
Matip scares me tho
— (@Taytaayxx) December 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/Primacyyyy/status/1070420087012769792
Matip is a liability as well. Can never relax when the ball goes near him
— Ray Warham (@RayWarham) December 5, 2018
My match thoughts:
-Keita was absolutely world class very unlucky to not score and needs to start every game
-Vvd somehow hot better
-Matip and moreno are useless
-salah was much better
-bobby somehow got more attractive with that beard and was great to see him get a goal— Owen (@LFCOwen96) December 5, 2018
Same. Lovren defo has a mistake on him but Matip is far too passive imo
— Elis (@ClinicalCurtis) December 5, 2018
